By now, you’re probably used to checking the engine, cleaning between the tire treads, and changing your oil right on time. But did you know that you should do some other unique things for your car depending on the season? Your vehicle calls out for special attention whenever the seasons change, and the best part is that you can do some maintenance from the comfort of your own garage or driveway. Before you drop some serious cash at the mechanic, try these helpful tips provided by Lincoln car dealers.
Check the Defroster
This is easily done at home. Make sure that the ‘defrost’ setting is on high and that it is working well. If it takes longer than a minute to see the frost clearing off the window, then it’s time to see your mechanic. Unsure how to do this? Check your handy-dandy car manual.
Switch out your Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers depend heavily on the rubberized section under them to work effectively. Winter affects them the most, leaving these sections wobbly and worn down. If you’ve been noticing steaks on your windshield, then it’s a clear sign that they need to be swapped out.
Windshield wipers are pretty cheap and pretty easy to remove and install. Knowing how to do this is a necessary tool in every car lover’s toolbox. If you’re unsure which wiper blades to get, check with your local Lincoln dealerships.
Look over your Car Battery
As temperatures get colder, your car battery can lose power by as much as 70%. Instead of relying on jumpstarts being available readily, here are a few simple things you can do to make sure it’s in good working order.
Turn your car off by removing the keys and let it cool down for at least an hour. Then, grab your multimeter, another must-have in your toolbox, and a buddy. Set the meter to 20 DC volts. Use the red probe to test the positive terminal and the black probe for the negative one. If the reading is above 12 volts, then congratulations! The battery is working great. Anything less than 12 volts needs immediate replacement.
If you don’t have a multimeter and can’t borrow one from a friend, go by your battery’s age. If it’s over 5-years-old, then it’s time to get it switched out.
Unsuccessful Multimeter Test? Try Cleaning out the Battery Terminals
If you and your friend are tapping the probes against the terminals and nothing is happening even though you know the multimeter is working, then it might be the terminals at fault. Thankfully, this is easy enough to tell. Disconnect the negative battery terminal cable followed by the positive one. If there’s any build-up, then it’s time to clean it off.
- Put on some rubber gloves
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water in a bowl
- A toothbrush is your best friend here. Use it to scrub at the build-up. Let it sit for a minute or so if necessary
- Wipe everything off with a damp cloth when the build-up is gone
- Use petroleum jelly for a lubrication before reattaching the cables
- Use the multimeter to test the battery
These tips are a great way to make sure your car not only handles well, but that it is safe. If you want more handy tips, check with your Baldwin Lincoln car dealer in the New Orleans, LA area.
